New Zealand in the Vietnam War

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New Zealand involvement in the Vietnam War
Part of the Vietnam War
New Zealand artillerymen carry out a fire mission in South Vietnam
Location	Republic of Vietnam
Commanded by	Keith Holyoake
Objective	Prevent Communist victory in South Vietnam
Date	June 1964 – December 1972
Executed by	Total: 3,890 personnel In country peak: 543 personnel (January 1969)
Casualties	37 killed 187 injured

New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War was controversial, sparking widespread protest at home from anti-Vietnam War movements modelled on their American counterparts. This conflict was also the first in which New Zealand did not fight alongside the United Kingdom, instead following the loyalties of the ANZUS Treaty.

New Zealand decided to send troops to Vietnam in 1964 because of Cold War concerns and alliance considerations. The potential adverse effect on the ANZUS alliance of not supporting the United States (and Australia) in Vietnam was key. It also upheld New Zealand's national interests of countering communism in Southeast Asia.

The government wanted to maintain solidarity with the United States, but was unsure about the likely outcome of external military intervention in Vietnam. Prime Minister Keith Holyoake decided to keep New Zealand involvement in Vietnam at the minimum level deemed necessary to meet allied expectations.^[1]